Safe Haven

Chapter 1 : Safe Haven

Given the current circumstances in her life, people were often surprised to learn that Charlotte Locke didn't believe in fate. Or destiny. If there was such a thing, it had a sick sense of humor and a perverted sense of justice.

At 25 a normal young woman had a career path, a life goal. Was married and had kids, or was at least dating or enjoying the party scene, hell had maybe even been arrested a time or two.

Not Charlotte.

After her dad left when she was four she'd had a string of loser stepfathers who wanted her mother, but not Charlotte. They had all ended in divorce and moving on. New states, new schools, new friends... new masks...

Then her mother had gotten breast cancer. The doctors did surgery, destroyed her mother's body with chemo and radiation, performed a second surgery and declared her cancer free.

Four months later Charlotte was burying her.

At least the malpractice settlement had come in handy. Charlotte had finally been able to set down roots. To buy a large house and give others what she had never had : a safe haven for anyone, no matter who or what you were.

Her house was what she deemed a safe house for all. Humans rarely come by, as they could sense an aura of danger and stayed away. That was fine with her. Most humans were close-minded and annoying to deal with.

Vampires, sirens, ghouls, werewolves, witches, elves, fae, dragonfolk, goblins... any and all were welcome as long as they followed the rules :

No fighting in the house

Everyone had a seat at the dinner table

Even the headaches currently in front of her.

"Give them back asshole!"

Charlotte shifted her laundry basket to her hip as an angry cursing red headed vampire came rushing out of a room. She rolled her eyes as she heard Jordan's teasing chuckle from down the hall.

"Jordan! Give Lilyanna back her gloves damn it! Or no tiramisu tonight!" Charlotte yelled as Lilyanna raced passed her, snarling like a bob cat as she chased after the blonde vampire who had stolen her gloves. She eyed the bolt she had installed on the door at Lilyanna's request. Guess that was a waste of money when the person you were trying to keep out could teleport.

At the end of the hall she knocked on the door of the bathroom before opening it. A merfolk lay in the large claw footed tub.

"Feeling better Glade?" she asked, receiving a series of small chirps and trills in response. Charlotte set the basket down and peered at the merperson's scale covered arms. "They are looking better. Don't wait so long for a soak next time. Malcolm keeps the well flowing so there is plenty of water, okay?"

A pleased trill came from the creature's smiling sharp-toothed mouth and it's eyes glowed with a thankful light.

"You're welcome. I brought you clothes in the basket. We're having dinner soon, shrimp for you I promise, and tiramisu for dessert. It's a new recipe I found online so don't judge okay?" she said as she headed for the door. "Oh and hang up your towel. It'll mildew if you leave it on the floor."

Back out in the hall Lilyanna was returning triumphant with her gloves in hand, Jordan smirking behind her with his arms folded. "Don't think your threat meant anything to me," he assured Charlotte. "I was merely done irritating the flame haired vixen for the day."

"Don't touch my shit, you discount Volturi bitch!"

"So much anger," he replied, shaking his head and furrowing his brow. "Anger management would certainly work wonders on you dearie."